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1 Introducing Yourself

One Step Further ACTIVITIES

Here are some more responses from the Ibunka Survey on the topic of self-introductions. Let’s examine them for underlying cultural trends. We can see that the language in many responses hints at two basic patterns.

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SURVEY

LOOKING FOR PATTERNS

CULTURAL PATTERN A: Blend in In this cultural pattern, some people have a tendency to speak about things they have in common with others. Introductions are rather formal and standardized. When introducing themselves, people tend to downplay their strengths and qualities. It is common WR KHDS SUDLVH RQ RWKHUV DQG WR GHȵHFW RU HYHQ UHMHFW the praise directed at oneself or one’s family.

CULTURAL PATTERN B: Emphasize uniqueness In this cultural pattern, when introducing themselves, people have a tendency to focus on what makes them VSHFLDO RU GL΍HUHQW Attitudes towards self-praise are varied, with people LQ VRPH FXOWXUHV EHLQJ PRUH DVVHUWLYH WKDQ RWKHUV However, speaking positively about one’s own family LV JHQHUDOO\ DFFHSWHG

Read through the Ibunka Survey responses below. Highlight in one color the words and phrases that hint at Cultural Pattern A: Blend in, and in another color the parts that suggest Cultural Pattern B: Emphasize uniqueness. You can work and discuss this in pairs or small groups.

Here in Japan, I've always found it remarkable how formal the greetings seem. Folks are bowing and using all these MTSTWNƳH UMWFXJX . It's kind of interesting. I prefer a QFNI GFHP casual approach. $PHULFDQ PDOH SURIHVVRU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 1 In Japan I found introductions felt more formal, or sometimes rigid, than in the US, where it tends to be very casual almost from the beginning (depending on the situation and players involved). $PHULFDQ PDOH MRXUQDOLVW KDV OLYHG LQ -DSDQ 2 I noticed that Japanese people like to mention their age when introducing themselves. They also sometimes mention their blood type! 6ZLVV PDOH SURJUDPPHU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 3 When I was living in the US, I used to explain more about myself from the beginning, to RFYHM YMJ FYRTXUMJWJ FWTZSI RJ (TRUFWJI YT /FUFSJXJ UJTUQJ . YMNSP &RJWNHFSX UQFHJ RTWJ importance on asserting individuality. Living in a foreign country, I found out that I didn't know much about myself. Since then, I have come to know myself better. Also, I think that in Japan, we tend not to tell people about ourselves in a good way, for fear of appearing boastful. -DSDQHVH IHPDOH RɝFH ZRUNHU KDV OLYHG LQ WKH 86 4 In Japan, my Japanese language ability has often been complimented, even if I only said "Hajimemashite" or "Watashi no namae wa ~ desu", and even when I was a total beginner. I found it a bit annoying at the beginning, but now that I am used to it, I just respond with a “Thank you!”. More tiresome are comments on appearance like 'You have a big nose' or 'You have such long legs'. These are comments that would be taken as outright impoliteness in France, especially coming from strangers. It makes one feel TGOJHYNƳJI and not respected. It is sort of like when people here in Japan see a cat and exclaim "kawaii!". I am not a cat. )UHQFK PDOH WHDFKHU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 5

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I always look for opportunities to compliment others naturally. Going too far is not good, as it comes off as smarmy, but saying things honestly when it's appropriate makes me feel good. When giving compliments, I try not to KTHZX TS XZUJWƳHNFQ RFYYJWX QNPJ FUUJFWFSHJ unless I know the person well. I've noticed that people here in Japan have no problem with this, much to my consternation. For example, I've gotten comments like, "Oh, you have gained weight since we last met!" Or, "Oh, have you lost weight?" There seems to be no problem with saying this here in Japan, but it drives me crazy. I've had to adjust to it over the years. $PHULFDQ PDOH SURIHVVRU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 6 I receive compliments from Japanese people a lot but for some reason I don't feel they are sincere. I don't know if that is because I don't agree with their assessment of my skills, actions or appearance, or if it is because I am personally unable to accept compliments. In Britain we are not good at accepting compliments. We always try to downplay them. %ULWLVK IHPDOH DXWKRU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 7 My kids and I once went to the house of my daughter's school friend. While we were there, the girl's parents kept saying how pretty my daughter was, and then they said, about their own daughter, while she was present, "Not like her, she looks like an old shoe". And the daughter agreed with them! She said "I do, I look like an old shoe." And she didn't, of course, she was actually very pretty. It’s like the aversion to bragging goes to the other extreme. I never hear anyone say that their child plays a sport well, or the piano or anything like that. &DQDGLDQ IHPDOH KRPHPDNHU OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 8 I live in Japan, and sometimes I am not sure whether people really mean what they say when complimenting others. Also, I feel it’s common for Japanese people to compliment my Japanese language ability, even if I say nothing but "Hi." They don’t mean to be rude, but sometimes I feel they are too quick to compliment. It’s like if they aren’t really thinking about me, it’s just a social ritual. +XQJDULDQ IHPDOH UHVHDUFK VWXGHQW OLYHV LQ -DSDQ 9 When I am complimented, I try to be humble and turn it into a laugh by making a joke. In Australia and the U.S., I have the impression that many people say "thank you" when they receive a compliment. I don’t think that’s very common in Japan. -DSDQHVH PDOH VDOHVSHUVRQ KDV OLYHG LQ $XVWUDOLD DQG WKH 8$( 10 When I was working in Belgium, I got the impression that people who only talked about themselves and people associated with them were not \JQQ WJHJN[JI . I myself felt more comfortable with Belgian colleagues who were more reserved in the way they spoke about themselves. -DSDQHVH IHPDOH FDUHHU FRXQVHORU KDV OLYHG LQ )UDQFH DQG 0RURFFR 11 I would say that I am rather modest when introducing myself. .S YMJ :8 . ƳSI XTRJ UJTUQJ quite extreme in how much they show of themselves. To some extent, it is nice to know some things about others, but . ƳSI UJTUQJ \MT constantly brag about themselves quite annoying. -DSDQHVH PDOH VWXGHQW KDV OLYHG LQ WKH 86 12

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Write a paragraph on the topic of introducing yourself. Include your opinions and reactions to the cultural patterns you found in these survey responses.

EXPRESSION

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